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October 19, 2015

UPDATE: Vehicle Crash Off SC Wharf

The Santa Cruz Police Department continues to investigate the fatal collision involving a car that drove off the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf on October 17.

The first occupant rescued from the car is still in critical condition. The victim is a 20 year old male from Santa Cruz. The second occupant was pronounced deceased upon arrival to the hospital. The deceased has been identified as Robert Halpin, age 19 from Santa Cruz.

On Sunday October 18, Santa Cruz Police Divers searched the ocean floor around the crash site for any additional evidence in the case. The Santa Cruz Police Department will conduct a full inspection of the vehicle to determine if mechanical defect played a role in the crash.

Witness statements indicate the car was aggressively traveling at a high speed before suddenly turning into a parking space and then crashing through a railing into the water.

BACKGROUND: On October 17, 2015 at about 8:24 pm Santa Cruz Police Department and Santa Cruz Fire Department were dispatched to the area of the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf to investigate a vehicle that crashed through the guardrail fell into water.

Santa Cruz Fire Rescue Swimmers were able to pull a male victim from the vehicle. He was brought to shore at Cowells Beach by the Rescue Swimmers and Advanced Life Support was started while the victim was transported to Dominican Hospital. Wharf Maintenance Divers assisted in pulling a second male subject from the vehicle. The second male victim was later pronounced deceased at Dominican Hospital.

Santa Cruz Police Department is actively investigating the facts and circumstances surrounding this accident. Anyone with information relative to this incident is asked to contact the Investigations Unit at (831) 420-5995.